Global Scans · Design · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Design thinking will increasingly play a key role in improving systems and customer experiences. Companies will re-learn their approach to innovation and embrace human-centred design principles. Designers will begin to apply knowledge of human interaction, specifically in the area of how we earn trust and respect, to AI systems.

• [New] Many required design elements of developments, such as London's second staircase requirement, will attract additional BSL as communal space. Mishcon de Reya LLP
• [New] Buildings are major contributors to global energy use and CO2 emissions, so it's no surprise that improving their efficiency will be a central focus in the years ahead. cities-to-be
• [New] As patients live longer and expect to remain active, structural heart therapies must be designed with lifetime care in mind. The AI Journal
• [New] As global and local rules advance, the organizations that succeed will treat responsible tech as governance by design - a built-in capability that underpins every AI-enabled workflow. ThoughtWorks
• [New] One emerging opportunity is hardwood cross-laminated timber for construction, which could be used to build schools, public buildings, low and high-rise projects, if production facilities are established in Kentucky. UK Research | University of Kentucky
• [New] KKR & Co. has secured more than $10 billion in commitments to launch Helix Digital Infrastructure, a new company that will design, build, own, and operate specialized AI infrastructure, including data centers, power generation, transmission, and connectivity. Tech Startups - Tech News, Tech Trends & Startup Fundin
• [New] We expect to see a surge in materials like bagasse, bamboo fiber, and Home Compostable films, which are designed to break down into natural components, offering a decentralized waste management path that aligns with stricter global waste reduction goals. Million Pack
• [New] Updated building codes mean new buildings produce lower emissions, but older ones require retrofitting, especially since 80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 have already been constructed. / Canada The Guardian
• [New] Designed to rebalance risk, and help make UK markets more efficient, accessible, and competitive. FCA
• [New] Designed for 24-hour double-stack container transport between Melbourne and Brisbane, it will remove the equivalent of 108 B-double trucks per train load and add 2 million tonnes of agricultural freight capacity annually. openpr
• [New] Flood Risk America is a U.S.-based manufacturer of engineered FEMA-compliant flood protection products designed to defend commercial, industrial, municipal, and residential properties from flood damage. Bastillepost
• [New] Between 2024 and 2027, annual investment in data center buildings rises 2.2 times, from US$ 113.8 billion to US$ 251.8 billion. PwC
• [New] As the world races to unlock the full potential of AI, a surge in spending on data center buildings is rapidly unfolding and comes in addition to investment in ICT equipment, such as chips and servers. PwC
• [New] Annual investment in data center buildings will more than double over three years, reaching US$ 252 billion in 2027. PwC
• [New] Xilinx's FPGAs helped accelerate a dramatic industry shift wherein fabless companies could use software tools to design hardware while engaging foundry companies to handle the capital-intensive task of manufacturing the software-defined hardware. IEEE Spectrum
• [New] Tempus has partnered with AstraZeneca and Pathos AI with hopes to build the largest multimodal foundation model for oncology designed to identify new cancer drug targets and accelerate therapeutic development. Time
• [New] The U.S. Air Force is prioritizing modular, rapidly scalable base defence architecture capable of addressing persistent drone threats across multiple operational theaters without the cost and footprint of legacy air defence systems. Drone Warfare
• [New] The best AI agents of 2026 will be characterized by their advanced NLU/NLG, seamless integration, predictive capabilities, robust security, and ethical design. Futurism
• [New] Digital identity is scaling quickly, with 64% of airlines planning to issue their own digital credentials, which is double 2024's figure, and biometric border controls are expected to reach 83% of airports by 2028. BiometricUpdate.com
• [New] AI adoption is accelerating fast-Gartner reports that 91% of customer service leaders feel pressure to implement AI in 2026 - but success will depend on how businesses deploy AI: with the right data, governance, and human experience design. XMC BPO
• [New] Huawei's latest Ascend 950 PR chips are expected to scale production to 750,000 units in 2026 and mark a notable shift toward more CUDA-compatible architecture, making it easier for Chinese AI developers to switch. Brookings
• [New] The Amazfit Bip 6 might not be a high-fashion accessory, nor is it the most feature-rich wearable by any means, but it is more than adequate for tracking workouts and chasing fitness goals. BGR
• [New] IBM Loon will validate a new architecture to implement and scale the components needed for practical, high-efficiency quantum error correction. semiwiki

Last updated: 04 May 2026